100 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
March 13, 1925
Following is a list of useful minerals found in Archuleta county, based upon reports made by the United States Geological Survey and other reliable authorities. Not nearly all the substances here mentioned are produced commercially, but most of them exist in quantities that might justify their production, says the state board of immigration: “Copper, clay deposits of uncertain value, gold, lead, silver, stone, chiefly granite and sandstone, zinc. A considerable part of the county lies in what is known as the gold belt, but lack of transportation facilities has hindered development. Extensive coal deposits are found in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip R. Johnson are this week moving from the Schonefeld cottage on east Pagosa street to their own new home on Lewis street, the former Mrs. Hattie Patterson property, which has been undergoing repairs and interior decoration Mr. and Mrs. Schonefeld are now enroute home from Los Angeles, where they have been spending the winter.
75 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
March 10, 1950
The new Masonic hall has been completed to the point where it is now in use by the Masonic lodge for their regular meetings. The lodge received approval of the building from the Masonic Grand Lodge on February 22. The lodge hall is being used by various organizations for a meeting place and the Pagosa Rod and Gun Club has installed an indoor rifle range in the basement.
The construction of the building was started last spring and is now complete except for the finishing of the basement. The structure is of rock and pumice block construction, being 80 by 30 feet in size. Native rocks were used to lay up the foundation to street level and for the pillars and arches of the building. The pumice blocks were then used to bring the building up to its required height. The main floor is at street level and contains the large lodge room, and ante rooms. In the basement a modern kitchen will be installed as will regalia rooms.
The building is a most imposing structure and one that certainly adds much to the appearance of the town. It was built entirely by donations and voluntary labor. The committee in charge of the construction were: George Alley, Chairman; Rod Blacker; A.W. Olson and Al Thomson.
50 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
March 13, 1975
More than eight feet of snow fell on Wolf Creek Pass in seven days this past week. Total fall Thursday through Wednesday a.m. was 87 inches with 3.90 inches of moisture. That is a bunch of runoff water. It is a bunch of snow, too. Total fall for the winter to date is 539 inches.
A new record for attendance at the Wolf Creek Ski Area is broken daily these days. Total attendance at Wolf Creek has now exceeded the 30,000 mark.
Closing date has been set for April 7 and that is three weeks away. If the present rate of attendance continues there could be as many as 35,000 skiers at Wolf Creek this winter. Last year’s total attendance was approximately 24,000.
The Aspen Springs Property Owners monthly meeting was held last Friday evening, March 7 at the Chalet. Several topics were discussed at the meeting for future progress in the Association. Steps are being taken to acquire road maintenance equipment for the property owners future use. Other topics were the budget and finance schedule for the coming year.
25 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
March 9, 2000
The long-running spectacle of Eightmile Mesa Road apparently closed Tuesday at the weekly county commissioner meeting.
An agreement was reached between the county and Fred Schmidt, representing Loma Linda Ltd., for distribution of the remains of a $93,250 escrow account Schmidt established to finance reconstruction of Eightmile Mesa Road between U.S. 84 and the entrance to Loma Linda subdivision.
Schmidt escrowed $93,250 for the road work last fall, hired U-Can-Afford to do the work, and assigned the contract with U-Can-Afford to the county. The county pulled U-Can-Afford off the job and hired Weeminuche Construction to complete the work.
By the end, the final cost of the Eightmile Mesa Road project reached $159,000, an overrun of about 72 percent. The county paid all of the cost above $93,250.
The Eightmile Mesa Road issue began approximately 15 years ago.
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